International Nurses Day is celebrated on May 12 of every year. It is celebrated to praise the contributions made by the Nurses to society. The day also marks the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s Birth. Many peoples thought that the most important people in the health care system are the doctors, but it is entirely wrong. Ever the underdog, Nurses play a vital role in all our medical institutions, being responsible for the welfare, safety, and recovery of patients. Hence it is a perfect week to honor the contributions made by the Nurses to our Society.

“I wanted to be a vet, a nurse, a chef – I mean, anything but the music industry. But once I hit high school, the bug really bit me. You can’t deny where you come from and what’s in your genes, and music definitely was. I haven’t looked back since.” – Hillary Scott

History of International Nurses Day

It all started in 1953, when Dorothy Sutherland, an official with the United States Department of Health, Welfare, and Education, contacted President of the U.S, Dwight D. Eisenhower to proclaim the “International Nurses Day.” But the President neglected her proposal at that time. The INC (International Council of Nurses) celebrated International Nurses Day on 12th May 1965. May 12 is important for all Nurses because the day marks the birth of Florence Nightingale, who is considered the founder of modern nursing. Nurses Day was officially announced in January 1974. From there, every year International Council of Nurses prepares and distributes the International Nurses Day kit which contains materials for educational and public information, which will be helpful for all the Nurses everywhere.

International Nurses Day

Themes of International Nurses Day

The ICN themes for International Nurses Day are as follows

  • 2023 – Our nurses, our future.
  • 2022 – Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health.
  • 2021 – Nurses: A Voice to Lead – A vision for future healthcare
  • 2020 – Nurses: A voice to lead – Nursing the World to Health
  • 2019 – Nurses: A voice to lead – Health for All
  • 2018 – Nurses A Voice to Lead – Health is a Human right
  • 2017 – A voice to lead – Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
  • 2016 – Nurses: A Force for Change: Improving Health Systems’ Resilience.
  • 2015 – Nurses: A Force for Change: Care Effective, Cost-Effective.
  • 2014 – Nurses: A Force for Change – A vital resource for health.
  • 2013 – Closing The Gap: Millennium Development Goals.
  • 2012 – Closing The Gap: From Evidence to Action.
  • 2011 – Closing The Gap: Increasing Access and Equity.
  • 2010 – Delivering Quality, Serving Communities: Nurses Leading Chronic Care.
  • 2009 – Delivering Quality, Serving Communities: Nurses Leading Care Innovations.
  • 2008 – Delivering Quality, Serving Communities: Nurses Leading Primary Health Care and social care.
  • 2007 – Positive practice environments: Quality workplaces = quality patient care.
  • 2006 – Safe staffing saves lives.
  • 2005 – Nurses for Patients Safety: Targeting counterfeit medicines and substandard medication.
  • 2004 – Nurses: Working with the Poor; Against Poverty.
  • 2003 – Nurses: Fighting AIDS stigma, working for all.
  • 2002 – Nurses Always There for You: Caring for Families.
  • 2001 – Nurses, Always There for You: United Against Violence.
  • 2000 – Nurses – Always there for you.
  • 1999 – Celebrating Nursing’s Past, claiming the future.
  • 1998 – Partnership for Community Health.
  • 1997 – Healthy Young People – A Brighter Future.
  • 1996 – Better Health through Nursing Research.
  • 1995 – Women’s Health: Nurses Pave the Way.
  • 1994 – Healthy Families for Healthy Nation.
  • 1993 – Quality, costs, and Nursing.
  • 1992 – Healthy Aging.
  • 1991 – Mental Health – Nurses in Action.
  • 1990 – Nurses and Environment.
  • 1989 – School Health.
  • 1988 – Safe Motherhood.

Other Celebrations on May 12

May 12 is also celebrated as

How to celebrate International Nurses Day

The day is all about celebrating the countless contributions made by nurses to our society. Take International Nurses Day as an opportunity to show a nurse who has taken care of you how much appreciates him or her. You can celebrate the day by sending your greetings to them. Or simply visit the nearby hospital and thank them for their endless contributions. You can take some pictures with them and share them with others on social media by using the hashtag #InternationalNursesDay.

Thank you for reading the post. You can celebrate every day with Happydays365.org and Happy International Nurses Day 2023.